Ankara Slams Washington for Anti-Turkish Language in New Budget Bill – Foreign Ministry

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Anti-Turkish language included in next year’s US defence budget will only harm bilateral relations between Ankara and Washington after the US published plans to stop deliveries of F-35 fighter jets in response to Ankara’s purchase of Russian-made S-400 missile systems, a spokesman for the Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

In the statement, Aksoy outlined that Turkey deplores the United States’ decision to cancel deliveries of US-made F-35 fighter jets. The official stated that Ankara deplores what it called Washington’s decision to use an annual budgeting process to meet short-term political goals.

On Tuesday, the United States Senate passed a $738 billion defence bill for the 2020 financial year that sanctions Turkey for the purchase of the S-400s and also includes sanctions on the TurkStream gas pipeline.

Military officials work around a Russian transport aircraft, carrying parts of the S-400 air defense systems, after it landed at Murted military airport outside Ankara

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Friday that Ankara would impose countersanctions in response to Washington’s proposed measures. Turkey has already threatened to close the Incirlik airbase, currently used by the US military.

Deliveries of the Russian-made S-400 air defence systems, which caused a significant rift in relations between Turkey and the United States, began in July. This year, Turkey has already received four S-400s worth $2.5 billion.

Washington demanded that Turkey cancel any deliveries of the Russian-made systems over fears that they are incompatible with NATO security standards and might compromise the operation of US F-35 fighter jets. Turkey has insisted that it will continue to accept delivery of the S-400 systems.

Sourse: sputniknews.com